Punjab BJP chief Dhillon warns CM Mann against defying Akal Takht
Synopsis
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon has called on CM Bhagwant Mann to seek forgiveness from Sri Akal Takht Sahib rather than confront it — and went so far as to urge government officers to cut off contact with Mann until the religious body pardons him. The warning, delivered as SAD and Congress leaders defected to the BJP, sharpens a religious-political crisis that historically spells danger for any Punjab government.
Key Takeaways
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on 16 June warned CM Bhagwant Mann against confronting Sri Akal Takht Sahib .
Dhillon urged IAS officers and government employees who are Nanak Nam leva to avoid contact with Mann until he is forgiven by the Akal Takht.
CM Mann has denied a purported video attributed to him, calling it a 'malicious' conspiracy by SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal .
Senior SAD leader Sukhwinder Pal Singh Minta and his wife Harpreet Kaur , both former councillors, joined the BJP.
Rajpal Atwal , son of former Congress minister Gurbinder Singh Atwal , also joined the BJP on the same day.
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Tuesday, 16 June issued a sharp warning to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that he must not adopt a confrontational stance toward Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Dhillon declared that those who have historically challenged the supreme temporal seat of Sikh authority 'were left with nothing', and urged Mann to appear before it as a 'true Sikh', acknowledge his mistake, and seek forgiveness from the panth (the Sikh community).
Dhillon's Warning to CM Mann
Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh after several leaders from the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) formally joined the BJP, Dhillon called on the Chief Minister to abandon any confrontational approach toward Sri Akal Takht Sahib's directives. 'Instead of making statements against its decisions, Mann should submit before it humbly and seek the community's pardon,' Dhillon said.
Notably, Dhillon went further, issuing an appeal to state government ministers who are Nanak Nam leva (those who take the name of Guru Nanak), along with IAS officers and all government employees. He urged them to comply with Sri Akal Takht Sahib's directives and refrain from holding meetings, engaging in conversations, or maintaining any form of contact with Chief Minister Mann until he is formally forgiven by the religious body.
The Controversial Video at the Centre of the Row
The political storm stems from an alleged video purportedly featuring Chief Minister Mann that has been circulating publicly. Mann has categorically rejected the video as fake, describing it as part of a 'malicious and politically motivated' conspiracy being orchestrated at the behest of SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to defame him and destabilise the Punjab government's 'pro-people' decisions.
When asked about Mann's denial of the video, Dhillon responded pointedly: 'Does any thief ever admit that he has committed theft?' The Chief Minister, for his part, characterised the episode as a desperate move by vested interests rattled by the state government's tough anti-beadbi (anti-sacrilege) legislation and its broader pro-Punjab agenda, alleging that 'politically influenced functionaries' were being deployed to spread false propaganda against him.
New Entrants Strengthen BJP's Punjab Ranks
The BJP's political positioning in Punjab received a boost on the same day, with several prominent leaders switching allegiance. Senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhwinder Pal Singh Minta, a four-time councillor, joined the BJP along with his wife Harpreet Kaur, herself a two-time elected councillor. Minta is currently a member of the SAD's state political affairs committee.
Additionally, Rajpal Atwal, son of senior Congress leader Gurbinder Singh Atwal, also formally joined the BJP. Gurbinder Singh Atwal is a former state minister and a two-time MLA from the Nurmahal Assembly constituency. The wave of defections signals growing political churn in Punjab ahead of future electoral contests.
What This Means for Punjab Politics
The standoff between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and Sri Akal Takht Sahib adds a significant religious dimension to an already volatile political landscape in Punjab. Historically, any perception of conflict between a ruling government and the Akal Takht has carried severe electoral consequences in the state. This is the latest in a series of confrontations that have defined Punjab's intersection of religion and politics. The coming days will be closely watched for any formal response from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and for CM Mann's next move.
Point of View
Terrain where the AAP government has no easy answer. Dhillon's call for government officers to shun Mann until pardoned is extraordinary and, if heeded even partially, could create an unprecedented administrative crisis. Historically, Punjab governments that have clashed with the Akal Takht have paid a steep electoral price; the BJP knows this better than most. The timing — coinciding with a wave of defections from SAD and Congress — suggests a coordinated effort to frame Mann's government as both religiously defiant and politically isolated.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Punjab BJP chief Dhillon warning CM Bhagwant Mann about Akal Takht?
Dhillon warned Mann not to confront Sri Akal Takht Sahib, arguing that those who have done so historically 'were left with nothing.' He urged Mann to appear before the religious body as a true Sikh and seek forgiveness from the Sikh community rather than adopt a confrontational stance.
What is the controversial video involving CM Bhagwant Mann?
An alleged video purportedly featuring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been circulating publicly. Mann has rejected it as fake, calling it a 'malicious and politically motivated' conspiracy orchestrated by SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal to defame him and derail his government's decisions.
What did BJP's Dhillon ask government officers to do?
Dhillon appealed to state government ministers who are Nanak Nam leva, IAS officers, and all government employees to comply with Sri Akal Takht Sahib's directives and avoid meetings, conversations, or any contact with CM Mann until he is formally forgiven by the religious body.
Who joined the BJP during Dhillon's press event on 16 June?
Senior SAD leader Sukhwinder Pal Singh Minta, a four-time councillor, joined the BJP along with his wife Harpreet Kaur, a two-time councillor. Rajpal Atwal, son of former Congress minister Gurbinder Singh Atwal, also joined the party.
Why does a conflict with Akal Takht matter in Punjab politics?
Sri Akal Takht Sahib is the supreme temporal seat of Sikh religious authority, and any perceived confrontation with it carries significant electoral consequences in Punjab, a state with a large Sikh population. Historically, governments seen as defying the Akal Takht have faced severe political backlash.
